Thousands of kittiwakes force Berlevåg supermarket to shut ventilation

A Spar supermarket in Berlevåg has been forced to shut down its ventilation system after thousands of kittiwakes settled in the area, filling the building with a strong odour described as resembling train oil or sour fish, the shop’s manager Odd Vidar Hansen told Dagbladet.

Hansen, who has run the store for six years, said the number of nests on the building’s roof has risen from two last year to 22–25 this year. He fears the problem will worsen, estimating up to 50 nests could appear next year if no action is taken.

The birds have caused noise, mess, and a persistent smell that intensifies in warmer weather. Customers have remarked on the unexpected odour, with some assuming it came from fishermen bringing bait inside. Hansen said the situation has made it difficult to operate a food store under such conditions.

He applied to the Troms and Finnmark county governor to remove the nests, arguing that food safety should take precedence. However, as the kittiwake is a protected species during nesting, the county governor lacks the authority to permit nest removal under wildlife regulations. The case must now be referred to the Norwegian Environment Agency.